Maxpedition Versipack -- Fatboy vs. Jumbo

I am considering the purchase of a Maxpedition Versipack. I have enough EDC needs to justify the purchase of a daily carry bag (keep all "man purse" comments to yourself ;)). I like the idea of the Versipack because it has the semi-private compartment for concealed carry. While I will always have a firearm on my person, I know myself well enough to know that it must be small or I will “forget” to carry it. I have decided to start pocket carrying a small semi-auto or J-frame on my weak side as my BUG (practice has made me quite proficient with my left hand). I wish to carry the Versipack on my strong side and stoke it with my Springfield XD Subcompact and a spare magazine (for those who are not familiar, the Versipack has a concealed compartment that is lined with Velcro which will allow for the insertion of a holster and a magazine holder). The problem is that I can only view them online and that does not give me a good indication of their size. I need the bag to hold the XD compact and spare mag. in the concealed compartment; which brings me to my question.

Will the compartment of the Fatboy hold both the XD and the magazine or do I need to graduate to the Jumbo? I am trying to keep the bag as small as possible, but as large as necessary. If any of you are using this method of carry, and you have pics, it would really be helpful.

Judging by the measurements listed (Rear / CCW compartment: 9" x 8.5" with two rows of 2" x 6" loop field) I'd say you could easily fit a full size auto and a spare mag or two.

I just don't think I would want to carry around the extra weight every day. I like my little Bersa in a pocket holster or IWB, I don't think I could ever bring myself to carry a bag, fanny pack, or briefcase every day. I'd end up leaving it at home too much.

Whatever makes you happy, keeps you proficient, and will motivate you to carry everyday is what you should use though.

Judging by the pictures, it's almost like a medium sized backpack.

heavyshooter

July 27, 2009, 04:13 AM

I too was reluctant because of the weight. It turns out that I carry a small bag's worth of stuff everyday so I decided I may as well add a firarm to the bag. Thanks for the response.

sidheshooter

July 27, 2009, 04:20 AM

I have the jumbo and it will hold almost anything (ie: k-frame S&W, 1911 colt).

I'd suspect that the fatboy would take the subcompact, but I have not seen a fatboy in person.

heavyshooter

July 27, 2009, 04:32 AM

sidheshooter,

Is the Jumbo too large for daily carry?

grunt0311

July 27, 2009, 06:05 AM

A friend of mine carries a Glock 23 in his fat boy, he does not use it for a day to day CC. It is mostly for range days or walks in the woods. He does call it his tactical purse;).

Snake.Doctor

July 27, 2009, 06:28 AM

I currently own a Jumbo pack from Maxped, I don't use it everyday, but depends if I have to travel a little or not.

This is what it usually contains ( except the weapon since CCW permits here are only issued to the monarchy; I put it in to show you the space, it's a full size G17, ... but it is replaced by a knife or pepper spray )

Then the medical stuff ( I'm paramedic student )
- 5.11 medic pouch with a lot of stuff in there for myself or others
- Resuscitation mask
- AspiVenin syringe ( stuff to pump the venom off a wound if you're bitten by a snake, spider or a bee, hornet, etc... )

I also had a bottle of water in the pocket made for that. But the gear changes depending on what I plan to do. I can add a 5.11 pocket windbreaker, food, etc... Still enough place in there.

Works great for me.

heavyshooter

July 27, 2009, 07:04 AM

Snake.Doc,

Thanks, that photo is perfect. It looks to me that the Jumbo is not huge. Some of the online photos make it look entirly too big for daily carry.

Heavy

hinton03

July 27, 2009, 08:35 AM

I have the Fatboy and use it to carry in the vehicle; I just grab it and it has everything I need. (gun, extra mags, flashlight, first aid kit, etc.). When ordering be sure and order the in bag holster; as I learned that isn't part of the pack.

Z-Michigan

July 27, 2009, 09:12 AM

I have the Fatboy model. It will comfortably carry something the size of an XD subcompact or a Glock 26/27. You could squeeze a larger gun into the compartment but your draw would be slow and difficult.

FYI, while you could fit a spare magazine in the same compartment, once you see and use the bag I think you'll find there are other better places for a spare mag.

The pack is well made and very handy. I use it for occasions when belt carry isn't practical or convenient. I will say that the Fatboy model is as big as I'd go without viewing it as practically a briefcase. I think they could have been a bit more space-efficient in how much useful gun compartment could have been put into the size of bag.

HKUSP45C

July 27, 2009, 04:35 PM

My wife carries a fatboy daily and it comfortably houses her HK USPc .45 (custom kydex holster, no slow draw problems for her) with no problems. She also has enough gear in the main pocket and side pockets to effectively outfit a small army for a Siberian winter. It's a little creepy that every time I ask her for something she says "Oh, I've got two of those here in my bag!" It never matters what I'm asking for, she has two of them.

One day I'm going to look at her deadpan and ask her for a '73 Pinto just to see if she actually has 2 in her "purse."

Anyway, she likes the roominess and the weight distribution/comfort of the bag. She literally uses it like a purse so it goes everywhere she does. She's had it for several years now and it has held up very well to the daily abuse.

She's got like 3 Coronado Leather purses (for work) and she carries her fatboy more often than all three of those, combined. Essentially if she's not at work or a high end resturaunt she's sporting the fatboy.

ezypikns

July 27, 2009, 05:07 PM

Do you wear the pack all day or take it off, say when working at a desk, and if you have to leave it somewhere, how do you secure it (assuming there's still a weapon in it)?

Snake.Doctor

July 27, 2009, 05:16 PM

As I said in my post, I don't use the bag everyday, and where I take it, I keep it on me all day long. During lunch time, etc... I usually place it between my legs so I can feel it anytime.

heavyshooter

July 28, 2009, 01:17 AM

ezypikns,

I have it on my person unless I am in my home or office. If I am home it is definitely secure. :) When I am in my office I lock it in my desk (because of this my BUG becomes my primary when I am at work). Because these are the only times it is not on my person, it can't be too big.

Heavy

LegalAlien

July 28, 2009, 06:13 PM

I have the Fatboy as well. Slung on my strong side.

Carry my FN5.7 in the concealed compartment. Carry two extra 20rd magazines in the side zippered pocket and Surefire 6P in the flap pocket on the opposite side.

I am comfortable with it loaded up the gun, spare mags, flashlight, wallet, backup glasses in a case (should I have contact lens problems), car keys, house keys, HP calculator and the Swiss Army folder I inhereted from my dad.

All I am missing are the bunches of old receipts and various makeup articles :D

The concealment compartment is big enough to hold a handgun up to the size of a Beretta 92FS (4.9" barrel). It is a squeeze and you have to angle it correctly, but it can fit. I have carried a Beretta PX 9mm (4" barrel) comfortably in the conceal compartment.

I would recommend the Fatboy over the Jumbo, especially if you are going to carry a subcompact. And store the spare mags in one of the side pockets.

HardShell

July 31, 2009, 12:01 AM

I've had a tan Fatboy for a couple of years now -- use it when travelling, and love it.

Mike2

August 3, 2009, 08:49 AM

I have the Colossus added a couple of other smaller pouches, a double mag holder, a small rolly polly dump bag and absolutely love it. The colossus is bigger than the jumbo but still very managable. My g21 tucks nicely in the CC pocket and have plenty of room for extra mags, first aid kit etc.

fedrikwhite

August 10, 2009, 06:25 AM

Paramedic Student. You won't regret it. ... Now I'm just waiting to take the NREMT test and then I will begin the search for an EMT job.